WC:
Wissa double sets up England showdown

The six Newcastle players who began the World Cup Final tournament in North America have all made it to the last 32 of the competition - where two of them will meet. 

Dan Burn's England will face Yoane Wissa's DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday; Monday seeing both Brazil and Germany in action before it's Sweden's turn on Tuesday.

Ex-Magpies still in play include Mikel Merino (Spain), Miguel Almiron (Paraguay), Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria), Bradley Cross (South Africa), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), Alexander Isak (Sweden) and England trio Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon and Ivan Toney.

Going home though are Chris Wood (New Zealand) and Grant Hanley (Scotland), with Scottish Coach and SJP old boy Steve Clarke resigning his position.

Find Coral's WC betting markets online here   

Yoane Wissa (DR Congo, Group K 3rd place):
Wed 01.07.2026 England, Atlanta, 6pm (last 32) bbc

Sun 28.06.2026 Uzbekistan won 3-1
The forward kept his place in the starting XI in Atlanta, equalising from the spot midway through the second half.

Ten minutes later DRC took the lead, before Wissa hit his second goal of the game in the first minute of added time - rifling home impressively from the edge of the box.

That took Yoane's World Cup tally to three and he played the full game - his third 90 minute shift at the finals.

Colombia lost 0-1 (90 mins)
Portugal drew 1-1 (90 mins, 1 goal)

Dan Burn (England, Group L winners):
Wed 01.07.2026 DRC Congo, Atlanta, 6pm (last 32) bbc

Panama won 2-0 (unused sub)
Ghana drew 0-0 (unused sub)
Croatia won 4-2 (unused sub)

Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil, Group C winners):
Mon 29.06.2026 Japan, Houston, 6pm (last 32) itv

Scotland won 3-0 (90 mins)
Haiti won 3-0 (81 mins)
Morocco drew 1-1 (80 mins)

Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade
(Germany, Group E winners)
Mon 29.06.2026 Paraguay, Boston, 9.30pm (last 32) bbc

Ecuador lost 1-2 (MT 30 mins, NW unused sub)
Ivory Coast won 2-1 (both unused subs)
Curacao won 7-1 (both unused subs)

Anthony Elanga (Sweden, Group F 3rd place):
Tue 30.06.2026 France, New Jersey, 10pm (last 32) itv

Japan drew 1-1 (90 mins, 1 goal)
Netherlands lost 1-5 (35 mins, 1 goal)
Tunisia won 5-1 (5 mins)

Miscellany:

Bruno is the first Newcastle player to appear at two separate World Cup Finals while on the books at SJP.

The 2026 World Cup Finals are the first at which more than one current Magpie has scored, with both Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga on target.

Wissa became the first Newcastle player to score three times in the World Cup Finals, eclipsing the two goal hauls of Elanga plus England duo Ivor Broadis and Alan Shearer.

The DRC man emulated Broadis with two goals in one WC match; Ivor netting his brace against Belgium in the Swiss city of Basel during England's 4-1 success in June 1954.

2026/27:
Gateshead (a) tickets

Newcastle's first public pre-season kickabout sends them across the Tyne, facing National League side Gateshead at the International Stadium.

That's a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday July 25th and all ticket sales are direct from the home club, meaning that loyalty points aren't required but also won't be awarded.

Gateshead began a pre-sale at 9am on Friday to their season ticket holders and members, with NUFC season ticket holders also able to purchase tickets in the designated away sections which are the uncovered East and South Stands

General sale then began at 9am on Saturday here when tickets in all parts of the ground were made available - there's no actual segregation for obvious reasons.

Prices:

Adults (aged 18-64): £25
Concession (65+ and students): £20
Young Adult (16-17 years) - £15
Young Adult (14-15 years) - £10
Child (Under 14) - £5*
Carer - Free**

*Child tickets can only be purchased with an adult or concession ticket and cannot be purchased separately.

**Carers are limited to one carer ticket per paid ticket and can be added alongside the paid ticket at checkout.

2026/27:
Pre-season

The Magpies have now confirmed further games in their first team pre-season programme as follows:

Sat 18.07.2026 Darlington (h) training ground BCD
Sat 25.07.2026 Gateshead (a) 12.30pm
Wed 29.07.2026 Bristol City (a) 7.30pm
Sat 08.08.2026 Valencia (a) 9pm local
Wed 12.08.2026 Everton (n) 5.15pm (Murrayfield)

A pair of home friendlies over the weekend of August 15th/16th are anticipated, with opponents still tbc.

No fans will be admitted to the Darlington game, while there's a separate news item about Gateshead tickets.

Ticket details for the Ashton Gate* and Mestalla visits are both yet to be announced, while Ticketmaster continue to handle all sales for the Everton game in Edinburgh.

* Bristol City confirm an adult ticket price of £10.

2026/27:
Bucket list

An unexpected highlight of United's pre-season schedule is the opportunity to visit the genuinely authentic ground of a notable side, as opposed to a generic "super" stadium.

Newcastle's confirmation as opposition in Valencia's annual curtain-raiser Trofeu Taronja game kicks off what should be the final season for the 1923 vintage Mestalla.

Although preparation works for the Nou Mestalla in the suburbs of Valencia began in 2007, it's only now that construction of the 70,000 capacity arena has advanced to the point that an opening date next summer looks feasible.

With the countdown underway, the chance to sample a unique ground holding 50,000 fans that is atmospheric and idiosyncratic in equal measure is one not to be passed up.

PS: this will be Newcastle's first visit to the Mestalla, having faced Valencia at Gallowgate back in 2008.

EFL Trophy:
Bantams, Millers
and Minstermen

The draw for the Group Stage of the EFL Trophy took place on Thursday, with Newcastle U21s one of 16 invited sides.

The Magpies second string were placed in Northern Group Section C, setting up visits to League One Bradford City and League Two duo Rotherham United and York City. 

Round dates are as follows - match order is awaited:

w/c Mon 21.09.2026
w/c Mon 05.10.2026
w/c Mon 09.11.2026

Update:
McArthur parked

The first of United's development squad to find a new club following their recent release is Charlie McArthur, who has joined York City ahead of their League Two return.

The 21 year-old central defender began his career with Kilmarnock before moving to Gallowgate ahead of the 2022/23 season. Loans spells then following at Carlisle United in 2025 and then Airdrieonians last season. 

McArthur will get an early opportunity to face his former employers, when the Minstermen host the Magpies in the EFL Trophy during the opening months of the season. 

PS: Fellow Magpie Joe Brayson has enrolling at George Washington University in Washington DC, joining the squad of their US Collegiate League team, the Revolutionaries.   

Update:
Shirt sponsor unveiled

As previously reported, Tuesday saw the club confirm that their new main shirt sponsor is to be the South African soft drink company Knox Hydrate, who previously acquired naming rights to the club's Darsley Park training ground.

The agreement duration is for three years but no details of the value were announced in United's press release.

It has  been claimed that it will net up to 60m, with the 2026/27 season set at a maximum of 10m and the ceiling for the following two campaigns increasing to 25m.

The KNOX branding of United's Darsley Park training ground remains a separate three year deal that begins next month and will boost the club's coffers by 6m annually.

In terms of replica shirts which went on sale earlier this month lacking any sponsor logo, the club confirm that:

Supporters who have purchased the 2026/27 home shirt will be given an opportunity to get the Knox Hydrate logo applied.

Home shirts with the Knox logo will also be retailed later in the season, whist upcoming away and third shirts will include the Knox logo.

Update:
Alan Murray RIP

The death of former Newcastle United Assistant Manager Alan Murray has been confirmed, at the age of 76.

Walker-born Murray began his playing career at Wallsend Boys Club and joined Wolves as an apprentice in 1966, switching to Middlesbrough the following year.

Following a decade of service in the midfield for Boro, York City, Brentford and Doncaster Rovers, Alan held various off-field roles including spells managing both Hartlepool United and Darlington.

Teaming up with former Ayresome Park colleague Graeme Souness at Southampton in 1996, the pair later took charge of both Benfica and Blackburn Rovers before succeeding Sir Bobby Robson at Gallowgate during September 2004.

Murray remained at United with Souness until both left in February 2006.

2026/27:
Fixtures released

Newcastle will begin the 2026/27 season against Liverpool at SJP on Sunday August 23rd at 4.30pm - the fifth time in the last six years that United have had a home opener.

In addition to player-related sub-plots - a possible PL debut for Toon target Victor Munoz and the first time Alexander Isak has faced his former club - it also sees new Reds boss Andoni Iraola test his unbeaten PL record on Tyneside.

That Liverpool home game is live on Sky Sports, who hold UK live transmission rights along with TNT Sports. The first live schedule release date is in the week commencing Monday July 13th, covering our first PL away game at Spurs.

That game take places over the August Bank Holiday weekend and were it to be played on the Sunday, would clash with rail work affecting Kings Cross services.

The five midweek match rounds see Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea visit SJP. Trips to Old Trafford and the City Ground comprise our midweek aways.

At least one Saturday game will be rescheduled as a result of the opposition's European commitments; United's PL visit to Crystal Palace on Saturday October 24th just 48 hours after the Eagles are in Europa League Group Stage action. 

Progress for Brighton into the Conference League Group Stage meanwhile would require our PL visit to Sussex on Saturday November 28th to be similaly rescheduled.

Coventry's CBS Arena will become the 62nd different PL venue to have hosted Newcastle when they head there during October for our first visit since December 2009.

Following last season's away double header, the two festive season games are both on Tyneside.

This season's Carabao Cup takes place on Sunday March 21st, coinciding with the visit of Leeds United to SJP.

There's no clash with PL games on any FA Cup round weekend until the Semi-finals, on or around April 24th. The Magpies are due to host Ipswich Town that weekend.

The final home game against Crystal Palace is scheduled on Sunday May 23rd, along with the rest of the PL games that weekend. Saturday May 22nd is clear for the FA Cup Final. 

The closing game of the season then takes the Magpies to promoted Hull City on Sunday May 30th at 4pm - their first top-flight visit to Humberside since January 2015.

August
Sun 23 Liverpool (H)
Wed 26 Carabao Cup 2
Sat 29 Spurs (A)

September
Sat 05 Bournemouth (H)
Sat 12 Leeds United (A)
Sat 19 Hull City (H)

October
Sat 10 Coventry City (A)
Sat 17 Aston Villa (H)
Sat 24 Crystal Palace (A)
Sat 31 Everton (H)

November
Sat 07 Fulham (A)
Sat 21 Arsenal (H)
Sat 28 Brighton and Hove Albion (A)

December
Wed 02 Manchester United (H)
Sat 05 mackems (H)
Sat 12 Ipswich Town (A)
Sat 19 Brentford (A)
Sat 26 Manchester City (H)
Wed 30 Nottingham Forest (H)

January
Sat 02 Chelsea (A)
Wed 06 Manchester United (A)
Sat 09 FA Cup 3
Sat 16 Fulham (H)
Sat 23 Arsenal (A)
Sat 30 Brighton and Hove Albion (H)

February
Sat 06 Everton (A)
Wed 10 Chelsea (H)
Sat 20 Manchester City (A)
Sat 27 Brentford (H)

March
Wed 03 Nottingham Forest (A)
Sat 13 Bournemouth (A)
Sat 20 Leeds United (H)

April
Sat 10 Liverpool (A)
Sat 17 Spurs (H)
Sat 24 Ipswich Town (H)

May
Sat 01 mackems (A)
Sat 08 Coventry City (H)
Sat 15 Aston Villa (A)
Sun 23 Crystal Palace (H)
Sun 30 Hull City (A)

United enter the Carabao Cup in the regionalised Second Round on or around Wednesday August 26th. They should learn their opponents on or around Monday August 10th.

The usual FA Cup Third Round ties will take place on or around Saturday January 9th 2027, with the draw for that set to be staged on or around Sunday December 6th.

The Magpies are yet to release details of the home cup ticket schemes for Carabao Cup and FA Cup ties.

Update:
Staying, going etc.

Squad updates:

Senior players signed (1):
Ewen Jaouen

Contracts extended (2):
Mark Gillespie (to 2027)
Fabian Schar (to 2027)

Senior players out of contract (5):
Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier, John Ruddy, Matt Targett,
Max Thompson.

Senior player loan expired (1):
Aaron Ramsdale (returned to Southampton)

Senior player sold (1):
Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)

Development squad players out of contract (15):
Will Anderson, Joe Brayson, Thomas Bryant, Jude Cogdon, Adam Harrison, Alfie Harrison, Kayden Lucas, Charlie McArthur, Alex O'Donovan, Darren Palmer, James Taylor, Matty Taylor, Ciaran Thompson, Ezra Tika-Lemba, Mo Waddani.

Development squad player sold (1):
Travis Hernes (Groningen)

What Else?

1952 South Africa (a) 3-0 (2-0) Friendly  Milburn(1-0), Davies(15,86)  20,000  The first of two matches against the South African national side, this one was staged at the Kingsmead ground in Durban.  Most of the home side had already faced the tourists in the previous regional games. Goals from Jackie Milburn and Reg Davies in the opening quarter of an hour put United ahead, Davies adding an 86th minute header to round off the scoring.   1998 New Toon signing Stephane Guivarc'h appeared from the bench for France after 77 scoreless minutes of their World Cup tie against Paraguay in Lens.  The host nation eventually qualified for the World Cup Quarter Finals with a golden goal, but our man did little to aid the victory. 2001 United announced that the home leg of the club's Intertoto Cup tie against Belgian side Lokeren would kick off four hours later than first intended. This was to avoid clashing with the Love Parade scheduled to pass through the city on the same day - Saturday July 21st. Meanwhile, Stephen Glass joined Watford after the personal intervention of Hornets Chairman Elton John. 2002 A Premier League tribunal ruled that defender Olivier Bernard had been illegally approached by West Ham, after the player's agent told Hammers representatives that his client wasn't contracted to the Magpies. 2006 Newcastle's first team squad began pre-season training ahead of their Intertoto Cup opener. Manager Glenn Roeder, new assistant Kevin Bond plus coaches Tommy Craig and Lee Clark oversaw a light work out at Darsley Park. James Milner and Nicky Butt were present after spending the previous season on loan at Aston Villa and Birmingham City respectively. Both would reclaim their places in the Magpies first team. 2007 The Chronicle claimed United had "made an ambitious move for Barcelona's Brazilian defender Edmilson". However, he'd actually just undergone a third operation in as many years on his troublesome right knee and was expected to be sidelined for up to six months. There was speculation that the player could come to Tyneside when the January 2008 transfer window opened - but in the event it was the manager who wanted to sign him (Sam Allardyce), who moved out. 2014 James Tavernier joined Wigan Athletic permanently for an undisclosed fee. The full back spent the previous season on loan at Rotherham United but opted against a permanent switch to the Millers. 2020 Manchester City (h) 0-2 (0-1) FA Cup Sixth Round De Bruyne(37pen), Sterling(68) BCD Newcastle's first appearance in the FA Cup Sixth Round since 2006 was unsuccessful, thanks to a goal in each half from the defending champions. Birthday boy Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead from the penalty spot and Raheem Sterling's unstoppable effort kept City on course to retain their trophy. NUFC.com match report 2021 The delayed Euro 2020 tournament reached the last 16, Fabian Schar playing his part as Switzerland surprisingly knocked out France in Bucharest.   3-3 after 90 minutes, Schar came off the bench in extra time and coolly converted the second Swiss penalty in the shootout. Former Magpies Moussa Sissoko and Kevin Mbabu both appeared as substitutes, but neither took a penalty in the shootout that ended 5-4 to Switzerland. 2024 Miggy and Bruno faced each other in the Copa America as messrs Almiron and Guimaraes featured in the Group D clash. Brazil ran out 4-1 winners as Paraguay ended the game with ten men. 2025 England U21s successfully defended their European U21 Championship title, beating Germany 3-2 after extra-time. Newcastle full back Tino Livramento played the full 120 minutes in Bratislava.